This is from the Saint Paul Issues list.  I plan to attend the Wednesday
meeting in St.Paul.  I think I would like to see something along the lines
of Chaska.net done in Saint Paul.

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>Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 13:08:38 -0600
>From: "Lee Helgen" <Lee.Helgen at ci.stpaul.mn.us>
>To: <stpaul-issues at forums.e-democracy.org>
>List-Id: stpaul-issues
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>Subject: Re: [SPIF] Municipal Wireless in Minneapolis
>
>The City of St. Paul has contracted with Springsted to conduct a
>broadband technology needs assessment and economic development study
>(BITS).  
>
>As part of the study, there are two public forums to gather input.
>
>Wednesday, February 22 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Hillcrest Rec. Center
>Monday, February 27 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Dayton's Bluff Rec.
>Center
>
>For more info check out the city's website at www.stpaul.gov
>
>Lee Helgen
>Councilmember - Ward 5
>
>
>
>>>> "Timothy J. Salo" <salo at saloits.com> 02/18/06 3:21 PM >>>
>Those of you interested in the possibility of a citywide WiFi network
>in Saint Paul may be interested in what is about to happen in 
>Minneapolis.
>
>As I am sure you all know by now, Minneapolis decided to purchase
>network services to meet its own internal needs, rather than build
>and operate its own network.  Minneapolis wanted the selected vendor
>to also make wireless broadband services available to Minneapolis
>residents and businesses.
>
>A very vocal group has argued that Minneapolis should own and operate
>this network, rather than permitting an outside company to provide these
>services.  This group has been successful in convincing the Minneapolis
>City Council Ways and Means Committee that it should accept public
>testimony on ownership models for the Minneapolis wireless broadband
>network.  The Ways and Means Committee will meet Tuesday, February
>21.  Here's the agenda:
>
>  
>http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2006-meetings/20060224/WMagenda2006
0221.asp
>
>This debate _may_ be a preview of similar discussions that might happen
>as Saint Paul.  There might be a few differences, however:
>
>o	Minneapolis is fairly far along in its process towards buying
>	network services.  It has issued an RFP, received proposals,
>	down-selected to two vendors, and is about to start field
>trials.
>	It seems sort of late in the game for proponents of municipally
>	owned networks to insist that the city stop this process and
>	start all over again.
>
>o	Minneapolis outsourced its information technology operations
>	in 2002, (http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/itsoutsourcingrfp/).
>	As far as I know, Saint Paul hasn't outsourced its IT operations
>	to this extent, and so may be better equipped to own and operate
>	its own network.
>
>Personally, I believe that it is preferable that discussions about
>public versus private ownership occur earlier in the process, rather
>than late in the game as they are in Minneapolis.  I anticipate that
>Saint Paul will provide a nice forum for this debate.
>
>-tjs 
>
>Tim Salo
>Macalester-Groveland/Dinkytown
>More info: http://forums.e-democracy.org/stpaul/contacts/timsalo
>
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>Lee Helgen
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